Washing hands, and infection control. Obviously, everyone washes their hands-from time to time. Why the importance of this during an age when antibiotics can knock out just about any form of infection-Because, many of us, are almost now indifferent/immune to antibiotics because of over use!-See Goggle e,g, for more discussion on this issue if interested. Easy, and perhaps best to just wash hands in terms of prevention, and sets an example for children hopefully too.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hand-washing/HQ00407

http://www.health.state.mn.us/handhygiene/index.html

anyone that doesn't wash there hands after a pee or poop , before preparing a meal and during preparation especially chicken is just plane stupid.
as well as wash the cutting board and surrounding counter.

"...as well as wash the cutting board and surrounding counter. " pappy
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Excellent points pappy, and much to often completely forgotten about, as people rush to complete the meal process unfortunately-thanks.

I'm such a fuss pot I even have that waterless hand sanitizer Purell in my truck plus in my kitchen and of course in my bathroom. I am a shower/bath/hand washing freak but not obsessive compulsive (at least I don't think I am.) Clean is clean. I save paper towels in public washrooms so that I have something with which to open the door since 49% of the folks that go there don't wash their hands. To me, that is just plain rude, ignorant and anti-social. In this day and age with all the "crap" that is out there, you are taking signifigant risks by not staying as sanitary as possible.

Good for you t_b-your definitely aware. As people get older, their rates for infections increase as their immune system becomes more compromised with age-so, indeed any cuts, scratches, pimples, or open skin wounds can take longer to heal-especially those both young and old with Diabetes. Indeed, a diabetic's hands, legs, and feet are important areas to wash and protect-loss of feeling, numbness, edema, rashes, and whatever other health issues they have, and in some instances, infections are very opportunistic with this group of people.

Thanks Df. My Ma was a stickler for teaching us proper grooming and etiquette when I was a kid. Once I took a couple of science classes and asked a few questions I became a little more concerned and fastidious. Being clean is nice and relaxing also. No need to worry about B.O., poor personal presentation and looking sloppy.

Your quite welcome t_b.

I forgot to mention my proclivity for "trying" to have a relatively supposed germ free/reduced surface areas in the apartment. I use the spray Lysol Disinfectant, one under kitchen sink, one in the bathroom and one in the back hall closet.

Because of my allergies and the vargaries of Proctor & Gamble (plus other outfits) marketing, I have taken to stockpiling products that I like. It it to my great regret that I have found throughout the years that if I like a product, it is doomed to be yanked post haste from the shelf just as I have discovered what a great product it is. Now, when a new product comes out and I find out that I like it (nice scent, NOT strong, functions very well for its purpose) I will stock up on it immediately the first time it comes on sale at a very good reduction. I guess it is past experience plus the combined teachings of being a network type (no single point of failure) that I have multiple instances of hand soap, dish soap, Lysol spray, deodorant, after shave balm, after shave lotion, Rolaids, eye drops, lip balm and more. The same goes for tooth brushes, tooth paste, mouthwash and dental floss. Oh yeah, toiletski paper, kleenex and paper towels. First and second general rule combined: stock up but only if the product is at a signifigant savings. Then, I'm all over it.

Yeah, yeah, I know. OCD However, for the most part, I am prepared.

Just to do the simple stuff in a regular like manner-is helpful-keeping animals clean is another big area of concern, especially during flea and tick season! Some folks did put flea collars into their vacuum cleaner at one time-the little guys (fleas and other little crawlers) thought they had a new home, and would off course, leave the vac, and then wonder back on to the rug again-point, difficult to get rid of these guys, but working at it really helps to clean up all areas of the home as well-again, not obsessive , but hopefully careful, and straightforward.